The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-03-18
..TssAT BLESSED OLD MAID

While | was roaming mere ana thele. NOW
they are all gone, Marths's alone, and it's
no more than right for me to look ont for
her awhile. I'll write Immediately
''Yes, Nathan, that is right, | know, but
1 can't help dreading it, / always had a
horror of old maids;'' and Mrs. Tracy
Looked nervously around the plain kitchen
Of the little farmhouse.
"You needn't be afraid of Martha; she
isn't very old, and, venture to say, none
Of the trying, disagreeable old maids We
read of"
In spite of his reassuring words Mrs.
Tracy dreaded the arrival of her husband S
maiden sister, whom he had not seen since
the day he left his New England home to
try his fortune in the new West.
But, as Clara soon discovered, there was
nothing to fear in the quiet, sad-flced
woman who came to them, whose life had
been so full of devotion to others. and no
BILE self-sacrifice, that there had been no
time for growing hard and bitter, because
some of life's sweetest blessings had been
denied her.
The children, Bert and Mabel and baby
Ray, with the unerring instinct of child
hood, felt the depth of her quiet kindness,
and took her at once into their loving little
hearts.
Miss Tracy, although wholly unobtru-
sive, was observant. This together with
the interest she felt in her brothers family
led her, before she had been many weeks
an inmate of his house, to make discov-
cry.
Nathan, in his desire to get on in the
made life pleasant. In thinking so con-
stantly Of the future, he was losing all the
sweetness of the present. That this was
affecting the whole family was only tooap-
weary face, and repeated in a less degree
upon the countenances eff the children.
There seemed to be no rest for any of
them. No relaxation in the struggle for
existence. Nothing to vary the weary mo-
notony of every day labor, which, like
some huge Juggernaut, was crushing be-
meath its wheels all that might have made
life sweet and pleasant Martha shrank
from interference with the habits of her
brothers family; but looking ahead, she
saw for them nothing but sorrow and dis
appointment, and felt that something must
be done to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan, she gladly accepted
bis invitation one morning to ride with
him to town.
Tacy were rolling rapidly over the level
prairie, when Martha broke the silence.
1T is truly exhlarating in this bracing
air, over these fine roads, especially with
so nice rig, as you call it. The buggy
is easy and the horses really fine animals.
You must be doing well now, Nathan.
81 suppose | am, Martha; but it has been
hard pull, with losing crops, sickness,
etc. We're in debt yet, but with hard
work and economy guess we can make it
in another year.
Then what will come next?''
Il intend to have nice large barn and
some choice cattle; then | shall build a
good house and prepare to take comfort.
There isn't better farm than mine for
miles around and | must make the best
improvement possible. Then, some day,
we'll have the best of everything.
''But who will share it with you?''
why, my family, of course.'' opening
his eyes wide with aston ishment.
"All except Clara, you mean, solemn
ly.
why, Martha, how you talk? 1t is for
her I'm working-who else I'd like to
know
Now, Nathan, just take few plain words
from your sister, who means only kind
ness. I've had experience, and in my
Judgment, Clara hasn't vitality enough to
take her through another year of hard
work. have your interests at heart, and
would not needlessly arouse your fears;
but am convinced that your wife is wear
ing out. She must rest from this constant
labor, OF your children will soon be moth
erless.
Don't, Martha, talk in that way! Clara
is as well as usual. She was always slen-
der and delicate I'd gladly have kept her
in ease, but she knew she married a poor
man, and was willing to work up" He
was little annoyed
Il doubt not you have been kind and
good to her, and now that she has helped
work up so far, know you will be glad
to give her vacation. You do not realize
what it is to care for three children and do
all the work that must be done in farm
house. She might have been slender
when girl, but not careworn. Tonight,
if you look at one of her old pictures, you
will be convinced | am right.
Suppose l am; what then?''
''How much would it cost to send her
back to Ohio for the winter? | can keep
house.
simply out of the question, She would
not go anyhow, Martha.
81 thought you Cidn't know it; bu- she
is as homesick as child to see her mother
and father. She hasn't said so, she never
complains, but an unutterable longing fills
her eyes, and quick tears when she speaks